Sunday, September 28, 2008

With the current fuel shortages that are affecting different parts of the country, it is vitally important that Fuel Storage Safety is at the top of your list. You do not want to make a bad situation worse by creating a dangerous hazard for you and your family. Failing to use safety in the storage of your fuels can lead to an even bigger disaster than the one you are trying to avoid!

It is extremely important to use only the original containers or UL-approved containers to store fuels that you will be using. It is dangerous to store fuels in unapproved containers because they can become damaged easily and leak or spill. Spilled or leaking fuel can cause a fire or even worse an explosion. Containers that are UL-approved (red for gasoline, blue for kerosene, and yellow for diesel) can be purchased at your local hardware store or at the big box stores.

A fuel storage container should also be clearly labeled or otherwise marked to identify its contents. It should also be fitted with a spout, or an accessory funnel or some other device (a UL-approved hand pump, etc.) which will allow pouring or transferring the fuel without spilling your fuel and creating a dangerous hazard to yourself or others. Never ever use glass containers or empty milk jugs for fuel storage!

Periodically check for leaks from your fuel storage containers and gas powered equipment. This is extremely critical if they haven’t been used for a long period of time. Small leaks can add up over a short period of time and leave you with absolutely nothing in an emergency and create dangerous hazards. Always recycle or safely dispose of fuel containers (example: empty 1 pound propane cylinders) and unused or contaminated fuel. Avoid fuel vapors, which are both a health hazard and a fire danger. Keep your fuel containers and gas powered equipment in a secure, well ventilated place and away from any source of ignition. Storing your fuel in an unattached shed or garage is a lot safer than storage in the basement or in a garage that is attached to your home. Store your fuel containers off the floor if at all possible.

Keep your fuel storage containers out of the reach of children and make sure all fuel container lids and spouts are on tight to prevent easy access!

Buy your fuel in quantities that can be safely handled by your available storage facilities. Buying more than you have the means to safely store can only lead to a dangerous and life-threatening situation. Never ever smoke around fuel storage containers or when filling the fuel compartments of your equipment!

Oil and gas mixes used for various equipment (chainsaws, string trimmers, etc.) should be used only in engines that are designed for their use and kept in separate and clearly marked containers.

2 comments:

From personal experience, be wary of buying the old five gallon "Jerry Cans" at garage sales.They may look fine at first glance but I have had two that the very bottom were rusted out on.I went and filled them up without looking at them carefully and then set them aside.The next day there was gasoline all over the ground.I picked one up and it started running off the edge of the can in big drops.I managed to transfer it into another container and then I took it in the shed and shone a flashlight under it while I looked through the top.I was stunned to see about twenty tiny little pinholes.New ones are very expensive but you can save yourself from an extremely dangerous situation.

Sometimes age just catches up with stuff. I've even had some older plastic gas cans develop pin hole leaks and wound up losing some high priced fuel as a result, not to mention the smell and the mess it caused (ruined a good ice chest when the gas leaked onto it).

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Preppin' Tips - DIY

An expedient oxygen absorber for a 5 gallon storage container can be made by placing a golf ball size piece of steel wool and a tablespoon of salt inside a paper napkin and placing it in the container. The salt will absorb the residual moisture and the steel wool will naturally absorb the oxygen.

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Make Your Own Electrolyte Beverage (Gatorade, Pedialyte, etc.)

To one quart of water add 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 8 teaspoons of granulated sugar. Thoroughly mix all ingredients together.

This will replace electrolytes lost by the body due to dehydration caused by diarrhea, vomiting, excessive sweating, etc. A package of Kool-Aid, Crystal Light, etc. may be added to enhance the flavor and color.

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